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Thirty years ago China was an impoverished state with a limited role in global affairs; today it is the world’s second largest economy, and forecast to overtake the United States’ leading position in three years.

With four of the top ten banks by market capitalization and the second largest PC seller worldwide, it is the number one exporter in the world market and the largest holder of foreign reserves. Meanwhile, China is expanding its global presence by investing heavily in Africa and Latin America and acquiring firms in Europe and the Middle East.

“It is hardly deniable that the rise of China as an economic powerhouse is rapidly reshaping the international economic landscape,” says Chan. “What is the impact on workers and firms — both domestic and foreign — as countries are more open to trade and investment flows with China? How does China’s explosive economic growth affect the environment and its sustainability? How are the geopolitical relationships between China and other nations influenced by their economic linkages?”

Chan will guide the students as they answer these and other questions by examining the impact of China as an emerging superpower in the context of the global economy